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UNCP COUNSELING PROGRAMS

CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING PROGRAM

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM

2018-2019 Testing Manual

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

College of Health Sciences

Department of Counseling

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Table of Contents 
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) .................................................................. 4 
NCE/NCMHCE .............................................................................................................................. 7 
The NCE ..................................................................................................................................... 9 
The NCMHCE .......................................................................................................................... 11 
Additional Study Guides for Purchase.......................................................................................... 12 
Estimated costs for CMHC students applying for licensure ......................................................... 13 
Professional School Counseling Licensure ................................................................................... 14 
 
   

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UNCP Counseling Programs Testing Manual

This manual includes information regarding testing requirements for graduation from the UNCP

clinical mental health counseling and professional school counseling programs. This manual

also contains information about testing requirements for clinical mental health licensure and

credentialing. A brief section on professional school counseling licensure is also provided.

Students who have questions about which tests would be best for them should contact their

academic advisors. Students should also meet with advisors with concerns regarding preparation

and studying for their exams. These meetings might include a written preparation plan signed

that may contain any of the following

 A comprehensive study plan

 Attendance at a formal test preparation course

 Audit specific course content

An informational video can be found at: https://uncpcounselingprograms.wordpress.com/field-

placement-and-testing-resources/

Students who have general questions about testing should contact the UNCP Counseling

Programs Testing Coordinator, Nicole Stargell, at [email protected] or 910.521.6898.

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Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE)

1. All CMHC and PSC (60 credits) students are required to take the CPCE when enrolled in

6100

2. All students who are enrolled in CNS 6100 are automatically enrolled to take the CPCE

and will receive additional information in the course syllabus and via email throughout

the semester.

3. All students who previously failed the CPCE will be automatically enrolled to take the

CPCE every semester and will receive additional information in the course syllabus and

via email throughout the semester.

4. The CPCE is offered toward the end of every Summer, Fall, and Spring semester.

5. All CMHC and PSC (60 credits) students are required to pass the Counselor Preparation

Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) before beginning Internship 6120 or 6130

6. Students may take the CPCE once per semester until they pass or until their time allowed

to complete the program has lapsed.

7. Students are responsible for the cost of the exam

8. Bring a photo ID to the examination

9. The exam covers material from eight content areas

CPCE Content Area

Corresponding UNCP Courses

Human Growth and Development

CNS 5025, CNS 5060, CNS 5900

Social and Cultural Foundations

CNS 5800

Helping Relationships

CNS 5050 and CNS 5400

Group Work

CNS 5100

Career and Lifestyle Development

CNS 5700

Appraisal

CNS 5600, CNS 5060

Research and Program Evaluation

CNS 5500

Professional Orientation and Ethics

CNS 5000, CNS 5060, and ACA Code

of Ethics

10. The CPCE is created by CCE (http://www.cce-global.org/) and utilized by over 380

universities and colleges

11. The CPCE consists of 160 multiple choice items with 20 items per each of the eight (8)

CACREP areas

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12. Of the 20 items per section, 17 will be scored items and the remaining three will be 
pretest items that are not identified to the student 
13. A passing score on the CPCE is calculated by subtracting one standard deviation from the 
national average for students who took the exam in order to graduate  
14. No students may take the CPCE early. 
15. The CPCE must be taken at UNCP and cannot be taken at another university/testing 
center 
16. There is no official study guide for the CPCE.  Because the CPCE and the National 
Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) are based on the same 
eight knowledge areas, any study materials developed for the NCE should be useful for 
the CPCE 
 
Study Guides Available at the UNCP Livermore Library: 
  Mastering the National Counselor Examination and the Counselor Preparation 
Comprehensive Examination by Erford, Hays, Crockett, and Miller 
  Encyclopedia of Counseling by Rosenthal 
  Study Guide for the National Counselor Examination and CPCE Counselor Preparation 
Comprehensive Examination by A. A. Helwig 
 
Additional Free Study Guides 
  Additional information: http://www.nbcc.org/Exam/StudyGuides  
  CPCE sample questions: http://www.counselorprep.com/cpce-practice-exam/ 
  200 free practice questions for CPCE: http://www.practicequiz.com/cpce-exam-prep 
  CPCE Practice Test Review: http://www.testprepreview.com/cpce.htm 
  CPCE flashcards: http://www.cram.com/tag/cpce 
  CPCE sample practice questions taken from Troy University: 
http://trop.troy.edu/drsmall/Program%20Stuff/CPCE_Sample_Questions.pdf 
  CPCE Free Practice Exam taken from USM: 
https://usm.maine.edu/sites/default/files/Counselor%20Education/CPCEpractice.pdf 
  CPCE Exam sample items taken from TXState: http://www.txstate.edu/clas/Professional-
Counseling/Comprehensive-Exam/sample-items.html 

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 CPCE Exam Prep iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cpce-counselor-

preparation/id581750643?mt=8

 CPCE Practice Questions: https://quizlet.com/subject/CPCE/

Note: Only current UNCP students in the counseling programs may take the CPCE at UNCP.

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NCE/NCMHCE

The NCE or NCMHCE is a national exam created by the National Board for Certified

Counselors. Individuals must pass one of these exams in order to become licensed to practice

counseling in the state of North Carolina. Students register through the North Carolina Board for

Licensed Professional Counselors in order to become a Licensed Professional Counselor

Associate (LPCA).

Students may submit their licensure applications slightly before they get their exam score and

conferred transcripts in order to expedite their licensure process. Visit the following link to see

the deadline that works best: http://www.ncblpc.org

More information about clinical counseling licensure can be found at http://www.ncblpc.org/ or

the bottom section of https://uncpcounselingprograms.wordpress.com/job-search-resources/

At any time after graduating and receiving conferred transcripts, students may register to take the

NCE or NCMHCE at the following link: http://www.nbcc.org/

This will be a computer-based exam at a state testing site.

 As a special opportunity for UNCP students, an early administration of the

NCE/NCMHCE is offered to students during Internship I or II

 It is recommended that students take the NCE/NCMHCE during Internship I so that

scores are ready upon conferral of transcripts

 Students who take the early administration of the NCE must apply for the NCC

credential. The NCC credential is not a state license.

 The NCE/NCMHCE is offered once per semester in the fall and spring.

 The field placement and testing coordinator will send an email over the UNCP

counseling programs listserv the semester before the NCE examination to allow students

to sign up

 The National Board of Certified Counselors permits students to take the National

Counselor Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination

(NCMHCE) before graduation at UNCP.

 The NCE is based on the CPCE (comprehensive exam) and is appropriate for clinical

mental health and school students. Successful testers will fulfill the testing requirements

to become an LPCA and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) upon graduation.

 The NCMHCE assesses an advanced clinical skill set, and is most appropriate for clinical

mental health counseling students. All successful testers will fulfill the testing

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requirements to earn LPCA and NCC upon graduation, and CMHC students will be

eligible for the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential with no

additional fee after 3,000 documented hours of work in the field.

 If you choose to participate in this early administration program, you are required to

complete the applicable National Certified Counselor (NCC) and/or the Certified Clinical

Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) application process upon graduation; the

certification fees are included in the exam fee.

o Certification is not a license to practice counseling

o Certification indicates that you are trained at nationally-recognized standards

 You may choose not to participate in this early administration program and register to

take the NCE or NCMHCE off campus after graduation if preferred.

 Students may only take the NCE or NCMHCE through UNCP one time.

 Students are eligible to take the NCE/NCMHCE if they have passed the CPCE (program

comprehensive exam) and are in good academic standing (no incomplete grades or

academic warning/probation)

 After graduation, individuals may sign up for the national exam and request our site only

if they

o Graduated from our program in the past 3 years

o Have never taken the NCE/NCMHCE with us, and

o Passed the CPCE on the first attempt at or above the national average

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The NCE

Fee: $335 (plus any administration fees)

Covers exam and NCC certification

$150 retesting fee if not passed first time (NCC credential still included)

Exam after graduation: $275

NCC Certification after graduation: $335

The NCE:

 is required for provisional clinical licensure in North Carolina (LPCA)

 is required for the NCC, a national credential

The NCE:

 must be completed within 4 hours

 is comprised of 200 questions (160 are scored, 40 questions are being field tested)

 covers eight content areas:

o Human growth and development

o Social and cultural diversity

o Helping relationships

o Group work

o Career development

o Assessment

o Research and program evaluation

o Professional orientation and ethical practice

 covers five work behaviors:

o Fundamental counseling issues

o Counseling process

o Diagnostic and assessment services

o Professional practice

o Professional development, supervision and consultation.

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To learn more about the NCE and NCC certification visit: http://www.nbcc.org

 NCE & CPCE Exam Prep Google play app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.taylorandfrancis.nceprep&hl=en

 NCE Counselor Exam Prep Google play app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dblpartners.nce&hl=en

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The NCMHCE

Fee: $425 (plus any administration fee)

Covers exam, NCC certification, and CCMHC certification

Note: The NCMHCE is a computer-based exam held at a pre-approved testing site other

than UNCP

The NCMHCE:

 can fulfill provisional clinical licensure testing requirements in North Carolina (LPCA)

 can fulfill testing requirements for the NCC, a national credential

 can fulfill testing requirements for the CCMHC, a national credential, after 3,000

documented hours (only for CMHC students)

The NCMHCE:

 consists of 10 clinical simulations designed to sample a broad area of competencies, not

merely the recall of isolated facts

 includes the following content areas

o assessment and diagnosis

o counseling and psychotherapy

o administration, consultation and supervision

To learn more about the NCMHCE visit: http://www.nbcc.org/

 NCMHCE flashcard iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ncmhce-

flip/id353411839?mt=8

 NCMHCE free practice exam items: http://www.clinicalexamworkshop.com/ncmhce-

practice-exam.html

 NCMHCE free practice exam items: http://www.studyguidezone.com/ncmhce.htm

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Additional Study Guides for Purchase 
  Study Guide for the National Counselor Examination and CPCE – $89.95 (print version) 
http://www.counselorprep.com/national-counselor-examination-study-guide/ 
  CPCE Secrets Study Guide –  $39.99 
http://www.mo-media.com/cpce/  
  CPCE Flashcard Study System - $39.99 
http://www.flashcardsecrets.com/cpce/  
  2015 DSM-5 NCMHCE Study Guide with Practice Simulations – $125.00 (print version) 
http://counselingexam.com/ncmhce/product/display/studyguide.php 
  CPCE Practice Questions: CPCE Practice Tests & Exam Review for the Counselor 
Preparation Comprehensive Examination - $35.00 (print version) 
http://www.amazon.com/CPCE-Practice-Questions-Preparation-
Comprehensive/dp/1630948942/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441052361&sr=1
-1&keywords=CPCE 
  Vital Information and Review Questions for the NCE, CPCE, and State Counseling 
Exams: Special 15
th
 Anniversary Edition - $85.31 (Audio CD) 
http://www.amazon.com/Vital-Information-Review-Questions-
Counseling/dp/0415801419/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441052361&sr=1-
6&keywords=CPCE 
  Mastering the National Counselor Exam and the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive 
Exam - $84.43 
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-National-Counselor-Preparation-
Comprehensive/dp/0137017502?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0 
  NCE Practice Exam Kit - $39.95 
http://www.tests.com/NCE-National-Counselor-Practice-
Exam?gclid=CIjoucSv07oCFYee4Aod3ioA-g 
  Encyclopedia of Counseling: Master Review & Tutorial for the NCE, State Counseling 
Exams, and the CPCE - $42.64 
http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Counseling-Examination-Preparation-

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Comprehensive/dp/0415958628/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240518234

&sr=8-1

 Download the Encyclopedia of Counseling by Rosenthal app on your smart phone or

tablet!

Estimated costs for CMHC students applying for licensure

ACA or AMHCA

membership fee

CPCE fee

NCE fee for exam and

NCC credential

(through UNCP)*

LPCA application

associated fees

ACA: $99

-or- AMHCA: $84

-or- LPCANC: $25

Membership in one of

these organizations

includes liability

insurance, which is

required for field

placement courses.

$103.50

per administration; must

take it during the semester

registered for practicum

and must pass before

beginning internship

$335

Can only be taken one

time through UNCP

during final semester or

within 12 months of

graduation

*Alternatively, students

can take the NCMHCE

for $425 which includes

the CCMHC and the

NCC credential

**Waiting to take the

NCE after graduation

will cost $275 for the

exam alone and does not

include the cost of the

NCC application

(additional $335

[optional])

***Students who fail the

NCE taken through

UNCP must pay $150

for a retake after

graduation at a state

testing facility.

Application allows for

total of 3 attempts to still

qualify for combined

NCC

NCE: $25 score verification

($75 for 2-day rush)

*you will need to send

transcripts to NBCC and

NCBLPC

Transcript fee: $5 mailed or

faxed, $10 for same day

service.

Jurisprudence exam fee:

$45

Fingerprints: $20 (2 cards,

can obtain at UNCP campus

police)

LPCA Application fee:

$238 (includes background

check fee)

Total: $338 minimum

From Practicum to LPCA Application: $741.50 (minimum)

UNCP Graduation Fee (includes cap & gown): $90

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Professional School Counseling Licensure

Becoming a Licensed School Counselor

In addition to completing the UNCP School Counseling Program requirements, students

pursuing school counseling licensure will need to take the Praxis II.

1. Review the School of Education licensure website at http://www.uncp.edu/academics/colleges-

schools-departments/colleges-schools/school-education/licensure

2. Visit the licensure website at:

https://vo.licensure.ncpublicschools.gov/datamart/mainMenu.do;jsessionid=6EDBEA1A2FEE21E

7CE80FE2D4A8658D6.i-3f4de6c0

Applications and information about the Praxis II tests are available at the Educational

Testing Service website at http://www.ets.org and Pearson website

at http://www.nc.nesinc.com.

NOTE: In order to receive or be recognized as holding an s-level license for your 60 credit hour

program in school counseling, you will need to apply for the 6th year educational specialist

distinction or S-licensure through DPI. For additional information and support, please contact the

school counseling program director, licensure office in the School of Education or The Graduate

School

Please see below for the ETS link to information about Praxis Core Fee Waivers:

https://www.ets.org/praxis/about/fees/fee_waivers/

Obtaining a Provisional School Counselor License

It is important to note that Professional School Counseling Students can obtain a provisional

license to work as a school counselor in North Carolina after completing 24 hours of master’s-

level coursework. Students must first be hired by a school to pursue this option. The school will

then contact the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to request the provisional

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license for the student. Students should visit the North Carolina DPI website to find job opening

and pursue this option: http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/jobs/

Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

It is also important to note that school counseling students may take the NCE as outlined in

previous sections in order to get a clinical counseling license (LPCA) in addition to their school

counseling license. Upon graduation, professional school counselors are able to apply the hours

they complete in a school as a school counselor toward a full, unrestricted clinical counseling

license as long as they obtain supervision by an LPC-S (see information regarding the NCE

above for more information).